Yalina
“Light of the Sun, the council is waiting for you.”
I turn away from my spiked orchid in annoyance, schooling my face into the serene smile of a solha that I’ve worn all my life. “Thank you, Farah. Please let them know I will be with them shortly.”
It isn’t his fault I would rather tend to my plants than meet with the council. I would rather do almost anything than meet with the council, but there is no point complaining. It is their duty to advise me just as it is my duty to care for the people of Vathira.
Farah doesn’t look at me. He would never dare. Palace servants are carefully trained to avert their eyes from the faces of the royal family, as the ancient custom decrees.
With a sigh, I give the pretty pink petals a final squirt from the clever glass bottle my father had made for me. It may not seem like much as a gift for the only daughter of the solharan, but it is one of my most treasured possessions since it was the last thing he ever gave me before he died.
Setting it down on its shelf, I wipe my hands on the soft cotton cloth hanging from the hook beside it and find my shoes. It wouldn’t do for me to meet with the council barefoot, but the hard glass slippers pinch my toes as I slide my feet inside them.
What would it feel like to be free of this place? Of the endless rituals and the meaningless courtesies I’m faced with every day? Impossible to truly imagine, but that does not mean I do not spend every minute I am alone each day dreaming of it.
A cool breeze skims off the channel where water from the great fountain flows through the palace like blood through its veins, cooling us against the desert heat, nurturing us. I wait for the guard to open the large bronze door to the council chamber.
The hushed voices inside fall quiet as soon as the doors open, and the faces of my five viziers turn toward me. KarethVahn, the tall, slim watermaster who oversees the water supply for Vathira; Irymae Tahlir, the round-bellied goldmaster who runs our treasury; Renith Solen, the kind old spiritmaster who intercedes with the gods and coordinates Vathira’s religious and state ceremonies; Maerin Vos, the stern, swarthy warmaster who has fought at the head of our armies since I was a young girl; and Halithra Harmer, the spymaster whose smiles never seem to reach his eyes.
Kareth Vahn stands and the others follow suit. “Greetings, oh, Light of the Sun. Thank you for blessing us with your presence.”
The others murmur the ritual words and incline their heads.
With a nod to Master Vahn I sit so my advisors can sit also. “What is on the agenda today?”
He summons a servant from the corner of the room who brings over a large leatherbound pile of papers. He clears his throat. “Oh, Light of the Sun, the messenger we sent to Niruth returned with bad news. It seems our neighbors have no wish to trade with us at this time. Their borders remain closed. They have no water to spare.”
I let out a groan of desperation. “But we have seen rain on the mountains. There must be water somewhere.”
He shrugs. “I am sorry, Your Highness.”
I accept his apology with a wave, turning to Master Vos. “How goes the training of the new recruits?”
Her expression is apologetic as she replies. “I’m afraid it is not good news, oh, Light of the Sun. The new recruits have been equipped with armor and weapons, but we have had to limit their training since we cannot increase their water rations.”
I frown. “Perhaps it is time to turn off the great fountain and ration water in the palace as well.”
My advisors all look at each other. “Oh, I do not think things are so bad, oh, Light of the Sun. Not so bad as that.”
This is a relief. I do not want my plants to die, but when the time comes to make sacrifices for my people, that is what I will do. “Then there is still water in the city wells?”
Kareth clears his throat. “There is… some, yes. And surely the inundation will come soon, and the situation will ease. It is only a matter of time.”
He has been saying this for weeks but it is well past the time of year when the annual floods should fill our rivers and flood our farms. “Very well.” I look to Renith. “Do you at least have good news for me?”
“Yes, oh, Light of the Sun. Preparations for the coronation are going swimmingly; there is only the small matter of—” He shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “Well, the matter of your solharan.”
I sigh. I knew we would have to discuss this. I have been avoiding the topic every time we meet, but it weighs on me like a huge boulder pressing down on my shoulders. “I just need a little more time,” I say. “Just a little longer.”
Renith shakes his head. “We cannot have the coronation until you are married. That is the law.”
“Well, that’s OK. I will remain solha for now.”
Renith’s frown deepens, and he temples his hands in front of him. “Your Highness, if I may, the people are restless. There is talk in the streets that you are thinking of abandoning us.”
My eyes widen. “I would never!” He has no way of knowing I dream about doing exactly that every single night. I’ve never told another soul.
“Forgive me, Light of the Sun. I know that. But the people are ignorant. You cannot blame them for doubting. They need a solhara. A solhara and solharan.”
